The Neymar maze

Neymar’s future remains unknown. After Raul Sanllehí’s last meeting yesterday with Santos President of operations, Odilo Rodrigues, the Brazilian club’s position is clear. Their desire is to sell the player because next year he would be free to leave, with no compensation for the club. But they didn’t want to do it at just any price.

After Real Madrid’s latest proposal, estimated at 100 million euros, all owners of Neymar (Santos, Grupo Sonda, Teisa, and his father, former footballer) are waiting to get a better deal. It is possible the proposal could bring to the forefront new clubs like Chelsea or PSG, for which money would not be a problem.

Madrid, meanwhile, does not rule out increasing their proposal as they wait to see if the Catalan offer (60 million euros) doesn’t quite convince stand up in Brazil, and they know the economic availability of the Catalan club cannot be more than theirs. Even Globoesporte yesterday unveiled a white delegation had arrived this past Saturday in Brazil to try to achieve Neymar’s signature.

Barça’s greatest asset is the will of the player and, in this sense, Sandro Rosell is hoping Neymar will make a public declaration for them. If the Mohican certifies that he wants to play at Barca, Florentino would be forced to withdraw, on principle, of bidding, and require all parties to cease in their pursuit.

Odilo Rodrigues has sought to pressure Barcelona: “The talks with Barca continue. Neymar wants to try and reach an agreement. If there is a good deal for Santos and the player, we will look. We’re receiving offers from other European clubs, “he said.